Скачать или смотреть Stuart Franklin: The Story of the Tank Man | What is Truth? | Sainsbury Centre

Stuart Franklin’s image, known as 'The Tank Man', came to represent a pivotal historic moment.

In 1989, weeks-long protests calling for greater democracy filled the streets in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, until one day the Government took to the Square with soldiers and tanks, firing at the protesters. It is estimated that hundreds were killed on 4 June, and the famous image remains of an unknown demonstrator stopping a line of tanks as they leave the Square.

While the image remains iconic to Western audiences for its emotive impression of one man’s defiance against authoritarian power, the photograph remains highly censored in China, alongside any references to the protests, military retaliation, and images of that day; it is not clear how well known the events are to the younger Chinese population.

We spoke to Stuart Franklin about the historic event and taking the famous image.